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  • Eugene Adkins 6:33 am on June 17, 2013 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , family, , Matthew 18:6, Millstone, , , Scandal,   

    One of America’s Greatest Scandals 

    It’s a problem that faces all of mankind’s cultures, but in America it seems like an epidemic in particular areas of our culture. I would even dare say it’s one of America’s greatest scandals. What is it? It’s the huge stumbling block of the abandonment of children by their fathers!

    The Bible says in Matthew 18:1-7, “At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me. “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!“

    In verse six the Bible uses a very interesting Greek word, and I almost believe we would be better off if it was transliterated instead of translated. It’s translated as “sin” in the above NKJV, as “offend” in the KJV, as “a cause of trouble” in the BBE and as “to stumble” in the ASV, but if we were to transliterate this interesting Greek word it would be done with the word, “skandalizo.” Can you hear our English word scandal in that?

    In a culture in which there are some who pride themselves in not “needing” a father to raise a child, or having multiple children with multiple women on welfare, or even a “I’ll write a check, but then I’ll write them off” mentality, it’s our children who are bearing the brunt of foolish behavior and thinking. Yes, one of America’s greatest scandals isn’t what’s being done in the single White House – it’s what being done in the millions and millions of American homes every year!

    I also know that every dad isn’t religious, but I do know that every dad has a responsibility regardless of their interest in that responsibility. America has some great dads, and thank God for them, but America has more scandals than what the headlines could cover if they would, for it seems as if in the face of all these “modern families” walking around that we’ve become oblivious to the millstones hanging around our necks.

    And by the way, try looking up the original meaning of scandal…you might be surprised what the word originally meant.

     

  • John T. Polk II 4:29 am on April 11, 2013 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , , family, fears the LORD, , , ,   

    Psalm 128 What’s In It For Me? 

    There is uncertainty regarding the author, time, or circumstances of these Psalms, but it is apparent Psalms 120-134 work together, and are called the “Songs of Degrees,” and sometimes “Songs of Ascension.”

    Verses 1-4 show wonderful blessings of a family that fears God;

    Verses 5-6 show their hope for the future.

    Verses 1-4: (Verse 1) The rule is “everyone who fears the LORD” is “blessed” (happy, contented), regardless of skin, salary, or social status. “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, And whose sins are covered; Blessed is the man to whom the LORD shall not impute sin” (Romans 4:7-8). “The memory of the righteous is blessed, But the name of the wicked will rot” (Proverbs 10:7).  “Though a sinner does evil a hundred times, and his days are prolonged, yet I surely know that it will be well with those who fear God, who fear before Him” (Ecclesiastes 8:12). Everyone who “fears God” walks in His ways. “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all” (Ecclesiastes 12:13). (Verse 2) Honest work is rewarding, supporting, and satisfying. “The sleep of a laboring man is sweet, Whether he eats little or much; But the abundance of the rich will not permit him to sleep” (Ecclesiastes 5:12). “He who is slothful in his work Is a brother to him who is a great destroyer” (Proverbs 18:9). Those who live on government give-aways never know the true wealth of health that comes to those who earn their rewards. It is repeated of those who “will not work, neither shall he eat” (2 Thessalonians 3:10). (Verse 3) “A fruitful vine” is one that produces something good, and is a good description of a good wife. She is considered the “very heart of your house.” It is in husbands best interest to “to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself” (Ephesians 5:28).  “An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, But she who causes shame is like rottenness in his bones” (Proverbs 12:4). “Olive plants” produce very useful oil, capable of many applications, so  children add many moments of pleasure and happiness. A man whose wife and children sit around his table cannot be more satisfied. (Verse 4) A home that “fears God” cannot be improved upon for sheer joy.

    Verses 5-6: (Verse 5) For Israelites under Moses, “Zion” was the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, the center of their worship, and from which their blessings originated. When individuals “fear God” and “walk in His ways,” it benefits their city for all of their lives. Obeying God is always good for our country, city, community. (Verse 6) Those who serve God not only are blessed themselves, and their families, and their neighbors, but into the next generations, “children’s children.”

    All Scriptures and comments are based upon the New King James Version, unless otherwise noted.

     

  • John T. Polk II 4:26 am on April 10, 2013 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , , , , , , family, , , , , , ,   

    Psalm 127 Living in a Safe House 

    There is uncertainty regarding the author, time, or circumstances of these Psalms, but it is apparent Psalms 120-134 work together, and are called the “Songs of Degrees,” and sometimes “Songs of Ascension.” This one is attributed to Solomon.

    Verses 1-2 describe a Safe House is the Lord’s House;

    Verses 3-5 describe a family in a Safe House.

    Verses 1-2: (Verse 1) Since this is credited to Solomon who had built God’s House (the Temple in Jerusalem, 1 Kings 5:1-5), this naturally fits. Moses’ “house” was the family of Israelites under Moses’ Law: “And Moses indeed was faithful in all His house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which would be spoken afterward, but Christ as a Son over His own house, whose house we are if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end” (Hebrews 3:5-6). Today the “household of God” (1 Timothy 3:15) is the church of Christ, thus the application would be that it is useless to establish any other church, or claim to be a part of the church of Christ, unless one goes all the way by obeying all of what God demands (Acts 2:36-47). Jesus said: “Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying: ‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men’” (Matthew 15:7-9). Since the “home” must be established upon the heterosexual love relationship in a marriage (Genesis 2:18-24; Matthew 19:4-6), then all attempts to build a family (house) based upon homosexuality, bisexuality, transsexuality is “in vain.” The same applies to Solomon’s Jerusalem (2 Samuel 5:7-9), and every other city that has no foundation of faith in God! There is no purpose in building a house without God, and the sleepless watchman of a city is useless “unless the LORD guards the city.” There is no security in a church, home, or city, without God’s blessing. (Verse 2) It is “vain” (useless) to get up for work early, sit up late, suffering for food, when God is blessing. Diligence is good, as Solomon said: “He who has a slack hand becomes poor, But the hand of the diligent makes rich” (Proverbs 10:4).    Solomon also said: “The blessing of the LORD makes one rich, And He adds no sorrow with it” (Proverbs 10:22). Jesus, the wisest Man of all, said: “The blessing of the LORD makes one rich, And He adds no sorrow with it” (Proverbs 10:22).

    Verses 3-5: (Verse 3) There is no greater tribute to the blessing of a child than these verses. First, children are a “heritage” (inheritance) from God. There is no godly way to decide to have an abortion. The miniscule percentage of women whose lives would be in jeopardy should they birth the baby inside them in no way justifies the bloodthirsty, murderous, savage, brutal, sacrificing of human lives called “abortion.” (Verse 4) Second, children of our youthful years become a parent’s strength to endure, like arrows arming a warrior. Parents are people God is preparing to “take on” the struggle of life. (Verse 5) Third, the man should be “happy” because of his responsibility of fatherhood.  His children, unashamed by his duties common to man have his guidance that helps them to be able to take leadership in civic matters, as well. Good parenting affects the future, also.

    Thought:  Males who won’t commit to the responsibility of producing a child with their own marriage spouse, should never be given the opportunity by any female. Females who encourage or accept males as sires and not permanently married mates, are reducing child-bearing to an animal level. Having children without marriage is ugly, degrading, deceptive, and destructive, and should never be judged lightly.

     All Scriptures and comments are based upon the New King James Version, unless otherwise noted.

     

  • Eugene Adkins 6:45 pm on January 19, 2013 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: family, ,   

    Nudge: What “Small” Thing do You do for Your Spouse? 

    There are ”small” things that I do for the sake of my spouse. I may not do them often enough, but when they’re done it’s pretty much for her benefit.

    So here’s the nudge:

    What are some “small” things that you do that only your spouse can really appreciate? Or if you would rather brag on your spouse, what are some “small” things they do for you that only you can appreciate?

    These things don’t have to be expensive, complicated or even too serious. For example, one ”small” thing that I do from time to time that makes my spouse happy is I shave…that’s right, no one appreciates me shaving like my spouse does, and if it wasn’t for her I would do it a lot less.

    So speak up, let’s hear what you’re doing or let’s hear your ideas for what can be done.

    “Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.” (Ephesians 5:33 - NKJV)

     

    • Stephen R. Bradd 8:51 am on January 21, 2013 Permalink | Reply

      Emptying the dish washer or sweeping the floor.

      • Eugene Adkins 6:06 pm on January 21, 2013 Permalink | Reply

        Thanks for the comment, Stephen. I knew there had to be at least one fella out there who knew the big value of doing little deeds when it comes to our better-half.

  • John T. Polk II 11:19 pm on January 18, 2013 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , family, , , magazine in print, , ,   

    First Issue of Gospel Gleaner is Available for Preview 

    http://gospelgleaner.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/January-2013.pdf

    An issue covering a variety of Bible subjects and activities in the churches of Christ may be yours each month for a nominal subscription fee. Information and address are available at: gospelgleaner.com

     

  • Eugene Adkins 6:33 am on December 27, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , family, ,   

    Nudge: Why Does God Encourage Children to be in Subjection to their Parents? 

    It’s not really open for debate – from the 10 Commandments of Moses’s Law, to the 6th Chapter of Ephesians, to the scathing rebuke of the scribes and Pharisees concerning the personal care (or the lack thereof) for their parents and ultimately God in Mark 7, God says children must take note of their parents when it comes to writing the chapters of their life story.

    So here’s the nudge: Why is this such an important issue to God, and what about honoring parents who do not care for God or for His way of life?

    I’d love to hear your answers, especially to the later part since so many young people (including Christians) deal with this family situation in our culture today.

     

  • Eugene Adkins 6:34 am on October 12, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , family, , ,   

    Be Strong Mom and Dad 

    Some parents amaze me! I guess you can take that statement two ways huh?

    We need parents who are willing to be a backbone for their children and not the wishbone.

    We need parents who love their love children more than themselves but not more than God.

    We needs parents who teach their children about hard work and not how to work hard avoiding it.

    We need parents who spend time with their children instead of their child-like hobbies.

    We needs parents who know how to say ‘I’m sorry’ as much as they expect to hear it from their children. Talk about having to be strong!

    You don’t have to tell me how tough it is to be a parent at times! All I know is that there are times when “tough love” actually leads to tender hearts, and that the world will be a whole lot tougher on them if they’re not prepared to love God with all their heart, mind, soul and strength! That takes toughness; only the kind of toughness that comes from strong mom and dads.

    Don’t give up, give in, give out or give it a second thought when it comes to making a hard decision that places morality above popularity. Give thanks for the life of your child and for the strength that God will provide to help you be strong!

     

  • James M. 6:22 pm on September 6, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , family, ,   

    The latter idea was hotly disputed by a follower. Imagine that!

     

  • Eugene Adkins 6:56 am on August 2, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: family, , ,   

    You Never Know What You’re Going To Get! 

    Forget the box of chocolates! If you’re looking for a place where you never know what you’re going to get then watch the news. I understand that different news offices/stations have different owners, different audiences and different purposes; but at times the media can seem so schizophrenic with the issues and stories they cover, or the lack thereof.

    Case-in-point, here are two examples:

    The first is a head scratcher picked up on by Neal Pollard. Here’s the link for his short, but well said, article called “Searching For The Outrage Over Amazon.” There’s no point in me trying to repeat what he has already said. It’s about the obvious several shades of rainbow-colored hypocrisy when it comes to the general homosexual agenda supported by the news media…especially over the last few weeks. It’s one of those things that I’ve come to expect from the news, but I still scratch my head when I think about it.

    The second is a heart warmer about two brothers in Tennessee that I happened to catch yesterday. It’s a great story (video) about love, encouragement, humility and loyalty that’s worth the time it takes to watch. Here’s the link for it.

    The news has a special way of keeping a person wondering when it comes to stories about morality.

    Remember, we need to “[Have] our eyes fixed on Jesus, the guide and end of our faith, who went through the pains of the cross, not caring for the shame, because of the joy which was before him, and who has now taken his place at the right hand of God’s seat of power. Give thought to him who has undergone so much of the hate of sinners against himself, so that you may not be tired and feeble of purpose.” (Hebrews 12:2-3, BBE)

     

  • Richard Mansel 8:00 am on July 14, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , family, ,   

    Guiding our Children to Maturity 

    As parents, we are charged with raising our children to be strong, healthy and ready for the world. We teach them all we can before they leave the nest. Our teaching license will not expire until death but our intensive instruction will be done while they are under our roof.

    I fear that parents are too busy to spend the time necessary to help their children mature mentally. We send them to school and Bible class and we may think that is sufficient. But we would be wrong.

    (More …)

     

    • Daniel 11:34 am on July 15, 2012 Permalink | Reply

      Great post and lists of useful advice! Thanks Richard!

  • Eugene Adkins 7:41 am on June 17, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: family, ,   

    What Makes a Man? 

    What is it? What’s the checklist? Certain height? Certain weight? Certain mark on the bench-press? The ability to father children?

    Answer: A man is someone who can put aside his childish wants in place of his child’s needs!

    Spending time with a child should not feel like “doing time” with them. A man is someone who treats his family right. A man is someone who does right because it is right.

    Happy Father’s Day to all the men out there who act like a dad!

     

  • Eugene Adkins 9:10 pm on April 12, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , family,   

    “Sad Times at Pilgrim High” 

    What’s the new controversy on the street? A mural of a young boy, growing up and graduating from school? Nah. There’s nothing controversial about that. But a mural of a young boy, growing up, graduating from school…getting married and starting a “traditional” family. Now that’s controversial! At least that’s what some leaders of Pilgrim High School in Rhode Island considered it.

    Whatever “progress” those at the Pilgrim school have in mind, it will never get ahead of God’s plan for the family: one man, one woman, one life (Genesis 2:23-24; Matthew 19:4-5).

     

  • James M. 4:18 am on November 17, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , family,   

    Ephesians 5 

    Following the New Testament plan, today we read Ephesians chapter 5. Its content includes:

    • Imitate God in everything: love and light (5.1-14)
    • "Watch where you’re going!" (5.15-21)
    • Take it home: wives and husbands (5.21-33)

    That second point is my paraphrase of verse 15a. My parents had to tell me that a lot, and I still need hear it.

    The NET Bible’s divisions of the chapter, at the link above, are also nifty: Live in love; Live in the light; Live wisely; Exhortations to households.

    Next week, the plan starts Monday with the book of Revelation. Why not join us?

     

  • TFRStaff 9:42 am on September 14, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: family, ,   

    Wives, submit to your husbands 

    Note: Below is Mike Glenn’s email to which a person had objected. It’s included here today (was sent yesterday) for your own objective analysis.

    Our text for the JG study today is 1Pet. 3:1-6. We are now living in a world where both in politics and in homes, women are claiming equal rights and equal position. The argument is made that women can do any job that men can. While our different physical make-up makes our abilities different, it would not matter if that were not the case. Remember that our slogan is, ‘if God says it…that settles it.’ God has said that wives are to be in subjection to their husbands (Eph. 5:22-24; 3:18). Moreover, He has said that women in general are to be subject to men for the following reasons: (1) The woman is the glory of the man (1 Cor. 11:7). (2) The man is not of the woman, but the woman of the man (1 Cor. 11:8). (2) The man is not for the woman, but the woman for the man (1 Cor. 11:9). (4) Adam was formed first, then Eve (1 Tim. 2:13) (5) Eve was deceived, not Adam (1 Tim. 2:14). God, of course, did not have to give us any reasons. His word alone would be sufficient for the faithful to follow. That is what it means to respect authority. Let’s briefly examine our text to see how diligently God expects this command to be followed.

    • God presents a case where the one whom God says is the leader is not the man he should be – he is not a Christian. His outlook on life, death, money, recreation, relationships, sex, raising children, dress and a host of other things is different than that of the Christian wife and is obviously not what God wants it to be.
    • This is a man who is not interested in studying the Bible, not interested in obeying God. God says that the wife’s subjection and faithfulness may be the avenue through which the husband is converted.
    • God also makes it clear that the wife is to conduct herself as a Christian in this relationship. She is not to give up her faithful conduct (vs. 2-4). She is under the authority of God first. God says that women who trusted in Him have always so conducted themselves (v. 5).
    • Sarah, Abraham’s wife, is set forth as an example of such subjection. You will remember that her subjection was such that she acquiesced in Abraham’s request to lie about being his wife. That is going beyond God’s will, but does show Sarah’s complete respect for Abraham’s authority.
    • While it is true that men are to treat their wives as they would treat themselves, their failure to do so does not change God’s requirement of the wives subjection. By the same token, in all matters of authority, the ungodly or hypocritical conduct of the man does not change the authority of his office so long as he is in it.

    I pray we are seeing the importance of this matter of respect for and submission to authority.

    Mik

     

  • TFRStaff 9:40 am on September 14, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: family, marital abuse, ,   

    On the abuse and submission of women 

    Note: Mike Glenn responds to someone who objected to his email, sent through his list.

    I received a response to yesterday’s email from someone who is not on the Joshua Generation list, but received it from someone. His objections merited some consideration and a response. This person basically made these points in stronger (not vulgar) language than I am including below.

    1. The biblical writers wrote about marriage they way they did because of the influence of their patriarchal society.

    2. That I suggested that women sin when they are unwilling to take abuse from their husband.

    I am sending you all my response to him as a tempering of any idea I may have left with any of you that men can be abusive or that women are required by God to take that abuse.

    Sir,

    Thank you so much for your response even though you are not on the Joshua Generation list. You have particularly objected to my last bullet point in the previous bulletin. Actually, you have read into my statements some things that are not meant and that I do not believe. I acknowledge that upon rereading the particular paragraph you note, I could have tempered it with some clarifying comments. I will send out another email doing that very thing. I do not ever “welcome” abuse and certainly do not intend to imply that women are required to take any abuse that comes their way. If you had a larger picture of my teaching, as those who are actually on my JG list, you would know that already.

    I do see the influence of a patriarchal society in scripture. Some of that influence is ungodly and contrary to God’s will, but thankfully, most of that influence is God inspired. Men are to love their wives as their own bodies. They are to nourish them and cherish them. Tlhey are to treat them in such fashion that their influence will lead their wife to salvation (Eph. 5:22-31). In addition, Peter says that they are to give them honor (1 Pet. 3:1-6). All of this is to be done whether or not the wife chooses to follow God’s plan of submission. Of course, a husband who does this would never make demands that are not spiritually, physically or emotionally beneficial to his wife. Christ loved the church in the same way.

    Also, Eph. 5:21 says that we are to “submit one to another. That raises some interesting thoughts. Elders are overseers of the church and yet they are to submit to the church. Husbands are over their wives and yet they are to submit to their wives. How can that happen? The answer lies in the the biblical teaching of servanthood and in the principles of love that guide that. As Jesus is the Lord and Master to whom we must submit, he yet gave us an example of continuous service to his fellow man, the majority of whom would continue to reject His efforts to save them (Jn. 13:13-15). We are taught to consider the needs of others first (Matt. 6:12; Phil. 2:3-4). Paul, an apostle with authority from the Lord, said that he was willing to use himself and to be used by others in order to serve them (2 Cor. 12:15). The Bible teaches that authority is never exercised correctly if it is not in conjunction with service. This is why elders are told to oversee and rule the church of God (Heb. 13:7, 17, Acts 20:28) at the same time they are told not to be “lords” over the sheep. They do that by first considering the needs and desires of the congregation and the impact of their decisions.

    All of us sir, have some situations wherein our mate does not obey what God says about how they should act in the marriage relationship. Quite a large number of those in marriage relationships take varying degrees of mistreatment that affect us emotionally, physically or spiritually. That mistreatment of a husband toward his wife or a wife toward her husband does not negate our responsibility to act as God directed. We must be very careful to not read abuse into every little mistreatment that occurs. That does not mean that a person must take abuse that is dangerous to their well-being. Their are biblical concepts of spiritual and physical self-protection and self-preservation that may bring about the separation of spouses rather than the suffering of abuse. I do not believe that wives are to continually suffer abuse at the hands of their ungodly husbands.

    Mike

     

  • James M. 8:12 am on September 12, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: family, ,   

    Nudge: worth remembering 

    Memories

    What have you done lately that’s worth remembering? Worth adding to your treasury of memories? Worth telling your grandkids about a few decades down the road?

    It could be a trip, a good deed, a funny event, an important step in your life, a new habit begun, or an old one surrendered.

    The Nudge is back today with a singular question.

    I pray you have something to share.

    If not, make a memory, as they say. Embark on a new venture.

     

  • James M. 12:08 pm on July 30, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: family, ,   

    Travel tips 

    We’re having fun with family, already drove from Tenn. to Miss. and back since Tuesday. Next week, to Ark. and back.

    • Today is the grandbaby’s first birthday, with full rights to Brazilian-style party, churrasco cookout, vinagrete (Brazilian version of galo de pico, much superior), brigadeiro chocolate sweets, passion-fruit mousse. The thunderstorm has blown over, we hope the ground dries before 5 p.m.

    • In the photo, the daughters-in-law and daughter (middle) are fixing the brigadeiros and the other sweets with coconut. They have to be rolled by hand.

    • An incentive to keep my gray-speckled beard: the other day I got the Senior drink discount at Jack’s Hamburgers. Any squeamishness at people thinking I’m old is overcome by this Scottish-blood satisfaction at saving a penny. Nothing comparable to this in Brazil.

    • When flying with family, the good-looking daughter gets x-rayed. One gets this suspicious feeling it’s not a coincidence. Maybe I’ve been in Brazil too long, where people generally don’t trust officials with badges and clothing patches.

    • I’m keeping up with the Portuguese and English devotionals so far, if but a bit later in the day than usual. No images for the webpages, but the essential text is there.

    • During our 25+ years, we’ve never taken a vacation. We’re considering this our first. On the flight to Houston, the Lord gave each of us an empty seat next to our economy straight-jackets. More room, more rest.

    • Oh, the travel tips: travel light, don’t carry valuables, be flexible, go during off-season, take plenty of sunscreen, fingernail clippers, and patience. And enjoy. Like me.

    UPDATE: The Missus says we’ll have the fantastic, unique Brazilian cheesebread, pão de queijo. Life just went up another notch.

     

    • Mike Riley 2:11 pm on July 30, 2011 Permalink | Reply

      Randal, You mean they didn’t x-ray you to see whether or not you were carrying a WMD? By the way, never say, “Hi Jack” on an airplane, cause that’s an immediate dead give away! HA!

      And all of this bread and stuff is making me very hungry. You are one lucky man to have all of those good cooks at your beck and call.

      And you’re not old yet! HA!

      Enjoy your vacation – you and your family deserve one after 25+ years!

      Mike

    • Ron 6:44 am on July 31, 2011 Permalink | Reply

      I enjoyed reading this, especially the portion about the senior discount. I am not sure when it will APPEAR that I need one (I think I am a couple-three years behind you), but that discount will be nice.

      • J. Randal Matheny 7:40 am on July 31, 2011 Permalink | Reply

        Mike, it was all tasty, wish you could have been here. It’s been great thus far.

        Ron, I trimmed the beard back to the nub, so I’ll probably not get another discount for a while. :)

    • Chad Dollahite 4:44 pm on July 31, 2011 Permalink | Reply

      Sounds like a lot of fun…hope you enjoy your time here & have safe travels

  • James M. 6:33 am on May 28, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , family, John Donne, meditations   

    ‘Whensoever mine shall come’ 

    Winter is setting in, it seems. Although the day invites laziness — cloudy, 57º, with a forecast of rain — much needs to be done today. No meetings scheduled, but plenty of other tasks, writing and such. The Maiden is teaching English at a language school on Saturday mornings from 8-11 a.m., so the mornings are quieter. Not that she’s a noisy person, no.

    • The daily devotional is done already. I wish I could keep up the English translation, but that’s down the list of important tasks. Maybe today, who knows? I used to make a bit of a deal about them being translated from the Portuguese, but these days I just stick them on my blog and let it go at that.

    • Last night, I talked to my parents for about an hour. I enjoy catching up with them, grateful to have them in my life still. Keeps me up with the old hometown as well. The other day, while in BK, the retired people’s hangout, they ran into an old school friend of mine I’ve not seen since 1975, when I transferred from Lafe school after finishing the 11th grade. Lots of water under the bridge since then.

    • Yes, I went to the same school, same building, for 11 years, then transferred my last year to Marmaduke High School, into a class three times larger. I thought it was the end of the world. Things have a way of turning out, though.

    • Thanks to Richard M. for the kind review of my book, Choose!. The sequel has gotten gummed up somewhere, but maybe I can brush off that project for another rousing success. After some other items get checked off the list.

    • Many people we know have passed on recently, not to mention the many deaths from the tornadoes, floods, and other disasters that have struck towns and cities around the globe. We pray, we send money, some are able to go and give physical help. Our brief mortality rings in our ears constantly, does it not? But the Christian is not disheartened by it. On the contrary, he can say as John Donne, in his Meditation XVI:

    God hath kept the power of death in his own hands, lest any man should bribe death. If man knew the gain of death, the ease of death, he would solicit, he would provoke death to assist him by any hand which he might use. But as when men see many of their own professions preferred, it ministers a hope that that may light upon them; so when these hourly bells tell me of so many funerals of men like me, it presents, if not a desire that it may, yet a comfort whensoever mine shall come.

    Than with that, what better way to conclude?

     

  • Richard Mansel 1:21 pm on March 22, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , family,   

    Literal Reading 

    I am a novice at Greek. Yet, I enjoy using the tools that I have to do research on God’s Word. I enjoy the word studies that we can do as students of the inspired Scripture. In the process, I get my NKJV Greek  English New Testament Interlinear out and read what the passage says in a literal translation. Even though their word orders differ from ours, their usage does illuminate some interesting nuances that can be special to the student and teacher as they prepare to impart lessons to their listeners.

    For example, John 14:23 says in the NKJV,  “Jesus answered and said to him, ‘If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.’”

    However, the literal reading in my Interlinear paints a more passionate and personal version of the same verse. It says, “answered – Jesus and said to him ‘If anyone loves  Me,  word My he will keep. And – Father My will love him, and to him We will come and Our abode with him We will make.”

    That is wonderful to me. “…loves Me, word My he will keep…” They are one and same! The Word and the Savior cannot be separated.  “father My” is also poignant and denotes a passionate bond between them. Finally, I love the statement: “to him We will come and Our abode with him We will make.” That is so much more expressive than the English in my mind.

    If we would look at the Word, the Savior and the Kingdom in such personal, familial terms, we would all have a deeper relationship with them.

     

  • Glenda Williams 3:37 pm on March 11, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , family, ,   

    Grandma’s treadle machine is at rest 

    Grandma Evie Lee Bryant had a treadle sewing machine, identical to the one pictured, to which I have fallen heir. She did sewing and alterations while peddling with both feet and guiding the fabric at the needle with her hands. Grandma enjoyed piecing and quilting  tops. She taught me to quilt on wood quilting frames that rested on four straight back chairs. Everyone learned fast Grandma didn’t like it when we bumped the quilting frame. A quilter could stick their finger or the frame might fall off the chair back.

    Grandpa sat on his yellow platform rocker and cut out quilt squares for Grandma when he wasn’t reading his Bible. More often than not, Grandpa, with his 6′ 4″ thin statue, sat with his legs crossed. The crossed foot easily touched the floor. Grandpa usually had an open Bible on his lap. If you caught him just right you could see a puff of smoke drifting up from the black pipe in his mouth. When things got quiet and still, Grandpa rested his nose between his right thumb and pointer finger, sliding it gently up and down his nose as he lulled himself to sleep while sitting on his chair.

    Grandma’s treadle sewing machine hasn’t been used in many years. It has a prominent place in our home. At the age of 11 years mother stood and sewed     clothes for her doll on the machine. That makes it priceless to me.  And the  time Grandma spent teaching me to quilt wasn’t wasted either.  Today I follow her tradition as I  quilt a top made from scraps that mother had saved.

    Paul told Titus 2:3-5…”the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things — that they  admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discrete, chaste, homemakers, good obedient to their own husbands, that the word    of God may not be blasphemed.”  True teaching which is needed today, but often     left forgotten.

     

    • Mike Riley 3:49 pm on March 11, 2011 Permalink | Reply

      Amen, Glenda! Great story of the fortitude of people who lived in a time where quality made a difference, including high moral standards.

      Like your grandmother, my grandmother had (an used) an old Singer sewing machine for many years. They are relics now, but still a great reminder of those folks who sacrificed their time, talents and energy in order to help others.

  • Mike Riley 9:46 am on January 12, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , family, , , shake,   

    On The Family Tree 

    I don’t want to shake down anyone on my family tree, because I’m afraid to know what kind of person I might find. :)

    I leave all of that in the Lord’s very capable hands.

     

  • TFRStaff 5:37 am on January 10, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , family, , ,   

    Will my child be lost, too? 

    The bulletin of the Southwest church has a good article that reminds us that God’s truth doesn’t change, even when it concerns our children. It seems hard at times, but God’s love doesn’t have soft spots. Since it takes a while to get the bulletins and articles up on the site, and since the mind won’t remember to link to it later, we’re posting it here. Their bulletin and the school’s paper are worth signing up to.

    "I Just Don’t Know If He Will Be Lost, If…"

    Marvin L. Weir

    Many parents abandon logic and reason when sinful situations occur that involve their children. They convince themselves that the Scriptures are not clear regarding the matter and question whether or not God’s grace will surprise some with what it covers. We need to be very careful lest we accuse God of failing to supply us with a clear roadmap to heaven. The Psalmist did not hesitate to exalt God’s Word as a clear and adequate guide. He said, "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path" (Psa. 119:105). It is also very clear that God’s grace will never cover sin when one refuses to repent (Luke 13:3). Let us consider several statements I have heard brethren make over the years.

    "I just don’t know if my son will be lost if he is not baptized."

    The Word of God clearly states that salvation is located in Christ (2 Tim. 2:10). Where is the Scripture that states that hearing, belief, repentance, or confession puts one into Christ? You will search in vain for such a Scripture. But listen as Paul speaks to the Galatians in saying, "For as many as were baptized into Christ did put on Christ" (Gal. 3:27, emphasis supplied). One is not in Christ who has not been scripturally immersed for the remission of his sins (cf. Acts 2:38). Belief does not wash away one’s sins. Baptism will, however, wash away sins of one who has repented. The bible gives us such an example in Paul’s conversion. Ananias goes to Paul and says, "And why tarriest thou? Arise, and be baptized, and was away thy sins, calling on his name" (Acts 22:16, emphasis supplied). (More …)

     

  • Mike Riley 7:14 am on November 4, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , civility, decorum, , family, official, , , , ,   

    Incivility Overpowers Our Society 

    Ramnath Subramanian, a sixth-grade science teacher at Eastwood Knolls School in El Paso, writes for the El Paso Times on educational topics.

    In his Thursday article, http://www.elpasotimes.com/opinion/ci_16515180, he points out the following:

    “I applaud any effort by school officials to promote decorum and civility in the school milieu. However, I am acutely aware of the fact that family, community, and the popular culture play a larger and more defining role in children’s lives than schools.”

    Yes, education begins in the home (Ephesians 6:4; cf. Genesis 18:16-19).

     

  • James M. 4:12 am on October 23, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: family   

    Our family will be all day in Sao Paulo, where Vicki and I will teach in a congregational Family Day. Pray we may teach well and touch lives for God.

     

    • stevelucas 4:19 am on October 23, 2010 Permalink | Reply

      Done! We all know that God will be lifted up as a result of your and Vicki’s efforts.

      May you a take moment to remember Jerry Jenkins and his family as his time on earth is short.

    • Mike Riley 7:57 am on October 23, 2010 Permalink | Reply

      We pray that your teaching will be successful.

    • J. Randal Matheny 4:20 pm on October 23, 2010 Permalink | Reply

      Thanks for your prayers. We arrived back around 7 p.m., seemed to go well. I gave three classes, then Vicki taught the ladies while the men were at my mercy. Ran into rain on the way back, always a tiresome factor while driving. But we’re home and all is good.

  • Glenda Williams 8:55 am on September 28, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: family, , homesick,   

    “I wanna go home.” 

    From time to time  mother says, “I wanna go home.”  I have learned she is referring to her physical  home with her mother and daddy. “Up yonder where they live,” she will reply when queried.   We’ve revisited how her parents have passed away, funeral, burial spot and how we  put flowers on their graves. We’ve covered their being  saved and that one day we will have a grand reunion with them once again.

    No matter the age,  we never lose our desire to go home. Mother’s parents have been dead 46 years. She is ninety-nine years old and still wants to go home. The desire to be home with loved ones resides deep within and never leaves us.

    A girlfriend used to bring her accordian to school occasionally. At lunch time she would sing and play for us. One of the songs she sang was “I’m homesick for Heaven, I’ve got a longing to go.”  Today I can still see her loving smile and hear her beautiful, deep, voice as she sang the song.

    We can look back through the eyes of memory to the homes we once had, but we look forward to a far greater heavenly home that is being prepared for those who love Him.  It is a good thing to be homesick for Heaven and have a longing to go.

     

  • James M. 11:43 am on August 20, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , family,   

    Grandbaby is wonderful 

    • I held Eden Lynne, age 3 weeks, for the first time last night as we introduced ourselves. She calls me vovô. We have lots to talk about.
    • Trip updates on my blog, the latest: “The Bed of Hospitality.” No bed like my own, but if I can’t sleep there, this is a good one. Glad to welcome the Sherman Drive congregation in Denton TX and the Central church in Chandler OK as ministry partners. They join Eureka IL as the most recent congregations.
    • Have stayed several places with no Internet access or limited service. We’re finally in a spot, until tomorrow, that has wifi. Tomorrow, state #4, Alabama.
    • Lunched with son Micah yesterday in Jackson TN, supped with Joel, Tansy and Eden last night in Mt Juliet TN. Just haven’t seen Valerie yet. Tomorrow, Val.
    • Just now listened on iPreach to preachers Jason Moon of Chase Park church and Ron Williams of Lincoln congregation, in Huntsville, Ala., talk about the latter hosting the former while their new building was going up. Valerie grew up in the former, then Memorial Parkway, where she married son Micah, and where they now worship. Valerie’s dad Derek is the deacon in charge of the building process. Ron and his twin brother Don were in my class, and same dorm, at FHU.
    • Chris Gallagher posted my guest article about why I love the church on his website.
    • I wrote a short article on “5 Reasons Not to Blog” on my website. Negative approach, maybe still valid.
    • Stephen is getting up a committee to change the theme back to the old P2 group blog. I might join it. Seems we’ve had fewer posts since we went to the default theme. I’d like to hear more people comment on his post about this, especially from the Fellows. What say you?
    • Time to visit the grandkid again. I hear her calling me.
     

    • Tina Cutsinger 12:03 pm on August 20, 2010 Permalink | Reply

      YaY !

    • Richard Mansel 12:17 pm on August 20, 2010 Permalink | Reply

      We can go back to the older setup. We will just have the comment problems again.

      Granddaughters are wonderful! Enjoy!

    • Ron 1:25 pm on August 22, 2010 Permalink | Reply

      Richard, Stephen, and I talked about how we like it the other way also. However, Richard M, I suspect, is probably correct. Just the same, there has to be a trade-off on some things. I need to click the “box” to send me the replies that come.

      Once again, appreciate the work of all, especially Randal in the initiating of it.

  • Mike Riley 3:38 pm on July 2, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: family, , major, , quite, restful, , ,   

    No major plans for the 4th. Just a quite, restful weekend with the family. I think wife and son are making homemade ice cream tomorrow (Saturday). I’ll be the supervisor in charge of eating! :)

     

  • James M. 1:03 am on May 30, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: family,   

    Slow 

    I noticed the site is slow today, understandably so, with the holiday weekend.

    My parents and I went to the Purcell Cemetery, north of Marmaduke, Ark., but inside Clay County, where my grandparents, great-uncle and -aunt and great-grandfather are buried, besides some other kinfolk. I took a few pics of some other headstones, people unrelated, from the 1800s. If your Saturday is slow, check them out here.

    My mom measured my grandparents’ tombstone to see about adding a vase or something to hold flowers. The clip that was there disappeared.

    Talked to my wife’s brother on skype, talking now to The Wife. Earlier today a cousin and her mother came by. Haven’t seen my aunt in quite a few years. That was a good visit. Other than that, has been a slow day around here as well.

     

  • joyjensen 11:09 am on April 18, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , family,   

    I am reflecting upon the wonderful family God has given to me. Tuesday George and I will celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary. I am so very thankful that he is my husband and father to our children. We both readily admit that we are far from perfect, but we have striven to keep God in the center of our home. Our son, Jacob, age 21, preached a very good lesson this morning. Our children are such a blessing in our lives, and I am often humbled when I think of their goodness. They teach me alot.

     

  • Richard Hill 2:09 am on April 13, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: family, ,   

    Thoughts on home 

    What comes to mind when you think of home? The familiar. The sights and smells of normal. Water that tastes “right.” That comfortable chair. Same goes for the bed. Peace and quiet. The regular routine. But mostly home is about the people you love. Everything else can be in place, but if the ones you love aren’t there, it doesn’t really feel like home.

    Someday we will all be home–when all the family will be gathered in. What a day that will be. And Barbara is already a step ahead of us.

    I’ve met so many of our brothers and sisters for the first time and, after a few hours of talking, felt like I’d known them all my life. I wonder if this won’t happen over, and over, and over again in heaven.

    Growing up, my immediate family wasn’t large. My present family isn’t either, so heaven will be a change, but it’s a change I can get used to.

    Having participated in the Fellowship Room for a few months, I have a great desire to meet every one of you. I realize that will not likely happen this side of heaven, but I’m confident we will meet–someday. And talk. And in a very short span it will seem as if we had always known each other. Till then.

     

  • James M. 10:39 pm on April 12, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , family,   

    Home for me 

    When we moved to Brazil in 1984, I told my wife that this was home. Home is where our family is. I’d heard missionaries talk about going “home” to the States. They’d never made the switch in their emotional loyalties.

    To this day people will ask me, “So are you going to make Brazil your home?” I want to tell them, “I made Brazil my home on Nov. 28, 1984.”

    Last year, I traveled in the U.S., alone, for two months. Every day, I missed home. Every day, I wanted to go home. I love my parents, siblings, uncles and aunts. I love the land of my birth, visited my old high school and congregation where I was baptized. I’m grateful for those roots.

    But I wasn’t home.

    Now, let me shift gears.

    Home is the haven where we rest, relax, enjoy each other, cherish our family. And it’s a place where we open the door for hospitality. For people to share in the gospel, the peace of where we live, the love that reigns here. Home is the place where we learn trust, forgiveness, tolerance, truth. Home is the promise of heaven.

    Home is to me the sweetest word.

     

  • Mike Riley 1:32 pm on April 2, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , family, , , ,   

    I’d rather give up my computer. My car is a necessity to get to work and bring in some money to sustain my family, the computer is not a necessity.

     

  • Richard Mansel 2:49 pm on March 25, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: family,   

    Various Thoughts 

    I hope all of you as readers have a blessed day. We appreciate so very much your reading our humble thoughts. God Bless you.

    I am enjoying listening to the New Testament while I am working at my desk. I am up to 1 Corinthians. The collection has 14 CD’s.  The Gospel and Acts/Romans constitute nine CD’s. When you get to Corinthians, it goes pretty quickly. This will be my third time to listen to them this year. I recommend it to everyone.

    We are preparing for our Gospel Meeting with Alan Wright on April 4-8. He will do a great job. I get to travel to Savannah to speak for him that Sunday. That will be a joy.

    I’ve not been posting lately because of my hectic life.  Maybe I can be more active. I appreciate the Fellows! Tell everyone about the site.

    The Proverbs are an endless well of wisdom and knowledge. It would take a lifetime to barely plumb its depths. I call myself a student of human nature, so the Proverbs are indispensable in this quest. I need to get the Old Testament on CD, so I can listen to them. The wisdom literature would be very popular.

    From my Facebook posting this morning:  “I love my family. Their hearts matter more than their weaknesses. I want you to think well of them, so I share only their joy here. Insulting them insults myself. The Golden Rule applies to my family, as well.”

     

    • Ron 3:06 pm on March 25, 2010 Permalink | Reply

      Appreciate the thoughts.

      • Richard Mansel 4:59 pm on March 25, 2010 Permalink | Reply

        Thank you, brother.

    • Mike Riley 4:56 pm on March 25, 2010 Permalink | Reply

      Richard, we are appreciative of your work for the Lord and your input here on this good site. May the Lord continue to bless our work in His kingdom.

      • Richard Mansel 5:00 pm on March 25, 2010 Permalink | Reply

        Thank you. Your work here far outdistances mine. God Bless you!

  • Laura 12:11 pm on March 7, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: family, , ,   

    What is the secret of a good family life? 

    Today’s nudge is, what is the secret to having a good family life? From my experience, the old saying is true: “The family that prays together, stays together.”

    Having God and His church as the central focal point of the family is the key to a good and happy family life. It first starts with the parents. If both parents are focused on God and share the same goal of getting themselves, their mate, and their family to heaven, then they are working as a team. The selfish ambitions that arise in many marital relationships simply do not happen in this environment.

    From there, the parents need to be actively involved in the work of the church and involve the children at an early age. Working for the church should be second nature to breathing for the parents, and the children should be taught accordingly — to be workers and not lazy. Any task the child can help with should be given as early as he is able to do so. E.g., helping prepare food for others, sorting clothing to give to the poor, grading Bible correspondence courses, straightening books in the pews, helping prepare communion trays, etc. Anything. What this results in is the family becoming a team, a well oiled machine, so to speak, that works together for the Lord. Children are taught to think about others, rather than themselves and learn that true satisfaction and happiness comes from giving, rather than receiving.

     

  • Stephen R. Bradd 10:58 am on March 7, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: family,   

    Family life & news 

    Ranae & I will celebrate 10 years of marriage this June. We do enjoy a great family life. It starts with being the right person and choosing the right person (poor choices in the beginning make things more difficult). Then, you must keep investing time in the family as it changes with circumstances (the addition of kids, job changes, health problems, etc.). Ultimately, I keep coming back to Phil. 2:3,4 in my mind – “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” Following that will certainly lead to a great family life.

    And speaking of family, we’re looking forward to our 4th son being born sometime in mid-April. Thank you for your prayers.

     

  • James M. 8:56 am on March 7, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: family,   

    Daily Nudge: family life — and news 

    The big Nudge question today is, “What is, in your view and from your experience, the secret of a good family life?” And secret it must be, considering so many families don’t have a healthy relationship.

    More rain in the forecast today, so I’m gonna wear my galoshes and carry my umbrella. I’ve asked Noah for the plans to the ark and am checking on the prices for gopher wood. I don’t mind the rain. It keeps the heat bearable. But doesn’t do much for our meetings. Some people ride buses, must walk long distances, have muddy areas to go through. Try doing that with a small kid. Others of us have conveniences of which the ancients never dreamed. Zip here, zip there, keep your feet dry, your hair in place.

    Oh, news: our good brother George Bailey will have surgery Tuesday to replace his aortic valve. The family asks for prayers.

     

    • Mike Riley 2:09 pm on March 7, 2010 Permalink | Reply

      Randal, will put our brother, George Bailey, on our prayer list.

    • Ed Boggess 11:37 pm on March 7, 2010 Permalink | Reply

      Secret? My wife. We celebrated our 86th wedding anniversary last January 25th (43 for me and 43 for her). She has taught me so much; how to love, how to think like a Christian, how to put others first, on and on (most of these I am still working on or rather He is still working on me). As I look at it, all I contributed was a willingness to learn.

  • Mike Riley 2:48 pm on March 4, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , family, , , , , ,   

    How do I rest? By taking long walks by myself. It is during these long walks, that I can best reflect on my life, my family, my priorities, and my spiritual goals in life. Some praying is in order as well. It’s also a time when I come up with some ideas for future articles.

     

  • Stephen R. Bradd 9:09 pm on February 27, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: family,   

    My most positive word today? The sarcastic side of me (which is quite large, mind you) wants to say: “proton” or perhaps “11/06/2012″ (can a date count as a word?) :)
    Seriously, I think “family” is my answer. As I look at my three sons and see their progress, I am so encouraged. There is indeed a time for everything. As I look at their mother and see her entering the final six weeks before bringing another boy into this world, I am thrilled at her beauty & grace. None of them are perfect, but they are so lovely to me.

     

  • James M. 7:38 pm on January 18, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: family   

    Where did everybody go today? Yesterday was great, lots of terrific posts. But that was yesterday and it’s a new day today.

    I missed swimming class after a 2-hour skype conversation with one of our sons in the U.S. That was great, well worth skipping the pool, hadn’t talked to him in a long while. But now to get to my articles and other items that are pending.

    When we first came to Brazil we had a weekly ham radio schedule, when the conditions permitted. Those were the days.

     

    • Mike Riley 8:28 pm on January 18, 2010 Permalink | Reply

      Where has everybody gone? I guess they are taking advantage of the MLK holiday today. My wife and I attended a breakfast with some members of the church this morning ’till about 10:00 MST. We really do enjoy the association – we try to solve all of the world’s problems in our conversation, but I’m afraid the world has to many problems to get that job accomplished! (:

      • Randal Matheny 8:30 pm on January 18, 2010 Permalink | Reply

        Ah, I’d forgotten about that. But surely not everybody is off sleeping late and having extended meals. ;-)

  • James M. 5:05 pm on January 16, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , family,   

    My parents taught me 

    The Daily Nudge asks who taught us the gospel. I’m thankful to God to have been brought up in a Christian home. My parents are devoted Christians and were serious about their faith. There was never a moment, never a question, never a doubt, about participating in the meetings and activities of the church. And when a preacher in our rural congregation stated publicly that we could fellowship denominations, we, and all the Mathenys, left and went over to the next city to meet with a faithful church there. When teen pressure moved me to request exceptions to church attendance, my dad was firm. Whenever someone would ask me what I wanted to be when I grew up, my dad beat me to the answer, “We hope he’ll be a gospel preacher.”

    There were, obviously, other godly influences in my life, but none so constant nor consistent as my parents.

     

    • Mike Riley 5:18 pm on January 16, 2010 Permalink | Reply

      Randal, and we thank God for providing parents like yours! May He grant us more of them, in Jesus’ name, Amen!

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